(Source: MIRS.news, Published 04/18/2024) He hasn't looked at the evidence and isn't commenting on the strength or weaknesses of anybody's case, but former House Speaker and attorney Tom Leonard knows one thing about this week's criminal charges against Lee and Stephanie Chatfield:
Defending against the charges is going to be expensive.
Leonard, a partner at Plunkett Cooney and former Genesee County assistant prosecutor, said he has followed financial crimes in the past. He believes his successor and wife are looking at a combined $500,000 to $1 million to fight the Attorney General's 13 charges of embezzlement and other crimes.
"That's the reality of the situation," Leonard said. "I can't judge the AG's investigation, but when you're dealing with white-collar crimes with a paper trail, the cost is expensive."
First, because it's a financial crime, the time period involved is drawn out. He's expecting two to three years by the time the Chatfields go through the preliminary exams and trial, presuming they don’t cut a plea deal.
Both Lee and Stephanie would each need an attorney.
They will also need expert witnesses who understand campaign finance and can break down the intricacies of the law to answer questions like, what is a 501(c)4, what is a corporate account and what can each be used for.
“It’s also drilling into the data,” Leonard said. “You’re talking possibly hundreds of exhibits with bank statements, canceled checks, and receipts. You’re likely to see multiple witnesses who will be setting a foundation, and that takes a lot of time.”
Also, because Chatfield is a former state official and his case has received extensive news coverage, finding a jury may take time. He noted that picking a jury in the Donald Trump case in New York has taken four days.
All the while, the attorneys charge by the hour. The expert witnesses also tend to charge by the hour and the clock is ticking.
So how will the Chatfields afford their legal representation?
“You’ll have to ask them,” Leonard said. “Typically, white-collar crimes deal with wealthy people. I don’t know how they’re going to pay, but if a defendant can’t afford counsel, a court will appoint them an attorney at taxpayer expense.”
Leonard also pointed out that given Attorney General Dana Nessel said the investigation is not concluded and that Lee Chatfield’s former staffers, Rob and Anné Minard, have also been charged with crimes connected to Chatfield, it’s possible plea deals could be worked out in exchange for offering testimony.
